“When I left Atlanta – I was there for three-quarters of a year or whatever – but, coming here and being able to resurrect my career a little bit, I think that helped a lot, being able to get some good players in here”. The Cincinnati defense ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in four of Zimmer’s six seasons there, and players there still espouse an enormous respect for him. “Guys are working hard on both sides of the ball”. His only interception came in the Vikings’ postseason loss to Seattle.
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The hunger to advance further in the postseason has been palpable around the team, with the extra excitement of opening a new stadium. “They’re always moving. He’s a mauler, and that’s the kind of guy you want up front”.
Sports Commission Director Chris Willaert said, “Even when it’s a shorter camp in terms of number of days; you still have that mass majority of fans that comes to this every year”.
Smith initially was going to battle Phil Loadholt to start at right tackle, but when Loadholt retired before the beginning of camp, it pretty much left him in the role. The Vikings do have what it takes to do it, as they addressed their weaknesses in the offseason and have a relatively easy schedule this season.
Paul Guenther, who replaced Zimmer as defensive coordinator, says he “owes a lot” to his predecesor.
Also not in Cincinnati are guard Mike Harris, who is on the active/non-football illness list, and quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who is on the active/non-football injury list. We jumped offside. Receivers jumped offside. We get to see Berger against those guys. We screwed up a fourth-and-20. While Peterson said he will sit out Friday, and it’s unknown if he will play at all this preseason, the practices leading up to the game at least give him an opportunity to go against another team.
Paul Guenther, who succeeded Zimmer as the defensive coordinator, made it clear there were boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed during practice.
Smith said the chance to play for Zimmer was the primary reason he joined the Vikings.
Mike Zimmer’s Vikings are in town for the first of two joint practices leading up to the Bengals and Vikings’ preseason opener on Friday night.
One player who has been healthy is center John Sullivan, who has returned from the back injury that kept him out of the entire 2015 season.
“I know (offensive line coach) Tony (Sparano) is going to push him and drive him and keep on him and keep working him”, Zimmer said.
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“We started (with) some of the principles we had when I was in Dallas”, Zimmer said. That’s why it’ll be a good test when we go to Cincinnati.
